Lesser Saphenous Vein Thrombophlebitis: Its Natural History and Implications for Management

Abstract

Little attention has been given to superficial thrombophlebitis and particularly to lesser saphenous vein thrombophlebitis (LSVT) by vascular surgeons. A prospective nonrandomized study was conducted to assess LSVT's potential association with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) as well as its natural history. Between January 1994 and December 1995, the authors reviewed 33 cases of LSVT detected by duplex scanning in 32 patients at their institution's vascular laboratory. Combined LSVT/DVT was treated with heparin and warfarin. LSVT alone or LSVT plus greater saphenous vein thrombophlebitis (GSVT) were treated with local warm compresses and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Follow-up scans were obtained in 23 of the 32 patients and ranged from 2 weeks to 18 months after diagnosis of LSVT. Thirty-one patients had unilateral LSVT and 1 patient had bilateral LSVT. Isolated LSVT was found in 9 patients (28%), LSVT combined with DVT occurred in 21 patients (65.6%), and 2 patients had LSVT/GSVT. LSVT was contiguous with DVT in 15 patients, and in 5 patients it was noncontiguous. Within 3 months, 9 of 16 patients (56%) with LSVT/DVT had complete or partial resolution of their LSVT, and 1 (14%) of the 7 patients with LSVT and LSVT/GSVT had improved. Within 18 months, 13 of 16 patients (81%) with LSVT/DVT had complete resolution of their thrombus while only 3 of 7 patients (43%) with LSVT and LSVT/GSVT had resolved. These data show that LSVT is more often associated with DVT (65.6%) than previously believed. While most LSVT will improve in 18 months, those associated with DVT will resolve sooner. Whether anticoagulation accounted for this difference remains to be proven.